the way to do it

THE WAY TO DO IT

the last two years i have volunteered at habitat for humanity
in the area where i live
over the last two plus years i have learned a lot about building
carpentry painting caulking roofing framing flooring etc
some i have applied to the country n when i do projects here
now i even know now what the right tools are to use for a project

i also about a year ago took over the landscaping for the houses
the goal is to landscape
xerically
plant only native plants sometimes i have to redirect the owners some
decrease the need for water a big issue here as we are all
low on water in this area
and
make it look good when its all done

so ive learned a lot over these few months
ive given back a lot as i volunteer

i also know how habitat works
they dont just give these folks these houses
they earn them
and
they pay for them over 20 years

you and i and the many sponsors and many volunteers provide
most of the construction costs for the house
except for certain contractors all the labor is donated
many contractors even do their work at a reduced cost
or for no cost at all

the homeowner
has to work 500 hours on the house or other houses or in the
habitat stores
has to qualify for the house
has to attend financial classes
has to attend home care classes
is followed for several months by an assigned mentor

so its not all given to them
they earn and pay for most of it

the benefit thanks to those who donate money and time
get the house for about half price
at 0% interest for 20 years
the day they move in their equity doubles
they gain some self esteem

so as i thought about this
i was thinking
what if many of our government programs where we give
money to folks
require within reason that they give something back

eg
i am now on social security disability for mild short term memory loss
granted of course the disability nsurance paid a lawyer to get me on that
its costing me taxes on that money i didnt have to pay before

require that in order to continue for me to get social security disability
that i do something in return for society to continue to get that money
like
volunteer at habitat
volunteer at meals on wheels
volunteer with a nonprofit like the alzheimers assoication
keep the roads along a stretch of highway clean
help some senior mow their yard
etc etc etc

of course this needs to all be done with compassion in mind
a wheelchair bound stroke victim with severe dementia
would not be able to do much
but
most folks could

think what good this would do for those in need
for our society
and
maybe most important for the self esteem of those who
like me are receiving our tax dollars every month

nah
that might make sense to do all of that

the organicgreen doctor